Job Description & Person Specification
Early Years Practitioner
Name:
Post:Early Years Practitioner
Contract:Permanent
Grade: H2 / 3 according to experience
Responsible to:Headteacher
1Purpose of Your Job
To assist the school in meetingStatutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Early Years Outcomes. Under the direction of the class teacher to be responsible for the care and welfare of the children from within the school.
2Main Areas of Responsibility
2.1Teacher Support
To act as a Key Person for a number of children and to have responsibility for the observation, assessment, recording and monitoring of the needs of allocated children.
To plan and record appropriate activities for children which meet the requirements of the EYFS and promote high expectations and standards
To provide a full range of stimulating activities for children in the nursery / pre-school to foster their physical, intellectual, emotional and social development across all seven areas of learning.
To identify and provide additional assistance and support for those children with special needs.
To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of, and be actively involved in the implementation of all the school’s policies, practicesand procedures.
To ensure the safety and welfare of children & colleagues at all times.
To support the other Practitioners & Nursery Assistants fulfil their roles and to act as a role model in the care & education of the children
2.2The Curriculum
To plan, prepare and set out in an appropriate way, in co-operation with other staff, programmes of work and activities and the materials, equipment and resources for a group of and/or individual children.
To share responsibility for children working in areas, inside or outside, where a variety of activities are available, facilitating and enabling them by providing appropriate levels of support and interaction.
To take responsibility for the planning, initiating and facilitating of programmes of work and activities for a group of individual children e.g. story sessions, computer activities, cooking, music, special needs activities.
To take responsibility as required for any activity under the authority and direction of the Headteacher e.g. visits providing appropriate cover for colleagues.
To support children’s individual development by adapting the learning outcome according to children’s needs and monitoring progress.
To actively participate in the provision of all aspects of the curriculum.
Assist the Senior Leadership Team and/or other professionals e.g. speech therapists, in implementing individual teaching programmes involving basic self care and cognitive skills.
To observe, monitor and assess individual children and keep written records. To help maintain the school's record system for individual children and groups. To prepare and present these as part of a system within the school.
To attend staff meetings to assist in the planning of curricular programmes and to contribute to the overall policies of the school as required by the Headteacher.
To participate in reviews of the school and its policies and philosophy and in the production of development programmes.
To share responsibility for the presentation of the children's' work and for the compilation of interest areas and displays.
To participate in the training of students on placement.
To maintain and service resources and equipment used for curriculum development, play and social activities in conjunction with other staff.
2.3Child Welfare
To welcome and greet all children, parents, carers colleagues and visitors in a cheerful, friendly and appropriate manner
To attend to the health, welfare and the safety of the children at all times, including external play areas, and cleaning of equipment.To oversee the toilet and cloakroom area and encourage correct use and hygiene with the children.
To assistat mealtimes.
To assist with the conduct and behaviour of the children at all times.
To attend to the physical welfare of children:
-Report possible evidence of child abuse to Designated Persons for Child Protection.
-to administer first aid, at an appropriate level, in keeping with the First Aid Policy, helping to maintain formal records of such treatment, subject to suitable training and instruction being provided.
-To encourage, establish and develop a good relationship with parents and carers encouraging dialogue, co-operation and partnership.
3Contacts
3.1Headteacher, staff, children, parents, students.
3.2Educational Psychologists, Health Visitors, Speech Therapists, teachers and other professional agents as required.
4Knowledge, Experience and Training
4.1A professional qualification of the level and standard of N.N.E.B. Diploma or Cache/NVQ Level 3,or working towards one of these. GCSE English and Maths at Grade C or above preferred
4.2Sound experience of working with young children.
4.3Post holders will be expected to attend In-service training coursesand to regularly re-appraise professional performance.
4.4An ability to implement the school's Equal Opportunity Policy and perform all duties taking into account individuals customs, values and beliefs promoting anti-racist and anti-sexist practice.
4.5An ability to work as part of a team and develop collaborative and co-operative working practices. Be accountable and responsible to others but able to take initiative and work without close direction or supervision. Be able to develop a professional relationship with colleagues offering and receiving support, showing respect for and valuing the opinions of others. Be aware of own skills and be able to share, model and teach skills and motivate others. Be able to impart and share knowledge and understanding within the team.
4.6Demonstrate a clear knowledge and understanding of child development, behaviour, the revised Early Years Foundation Stage, child care legislation and practices. Show an awareness of children's physical, social, emotional and cognitive needs and how to meet them within the seven areas of learning.
4.7An ability to initiate ideas, innovate plans, and implement them.
4.8Use planning, organisational, creative and presentation skills.
4.9Demonstrate observational, monitoring, assessment and recording skills both verbal and written. Be able to write and present accurate and effective records and reports including clear handwriting.
4.10Be able to build up trusting relationships with children, parents and carers. Demonstrate availability, listening skills,sensitivity, empathy and confidentiality. Be able to share and exchange knowledge and information with parents and carers.
4.11Use knowledge of illnesses and accidents and treat appropriately. An ability toremain calm,caring and sensitive. Demonstrate a high standard of hygiene adhering to H.C.C.'s and the school's Health and Safety Policies.
4.12An ability to communicate with parents, colleagues & professionals.
4.13Be able to evaluate and re-appraise own professional performance and be
willing to learn, change and develop skills and practices through the school’s
supervision & appraisal systems.
Equalities
REAch2 is committed to openness and equality of opportunity in every activity, from the way we employ staff to the way we deliver services. It is a central responsibility of members, managers and employees of the REAch2l to ensure that every individual that we come into contact with is treated with dignity and respect.
Health & Safety
It will be the duty of every employee while at work to take reasonable care for the Health and Safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
Physical
There is a requirement, subject to appropriate training, to lift and carry children.
There is a need, from time to time, to wipe up blood and other bodily fluids.
There is a need to regularly attend to the individual personal care needs of the children.
Working Environment
Staff must be able and enthusiastic about working with a variety of professional disciplines and to put the child at the centre of their work.
To assist the Leadership Team in providing a safe, challenging and stimulating environment for children's learning in the nursery.
Working as part of a team.
Maintaining a good relationship with children, parents and staff.
To ensure regular attendance & punctuality in order to maintain the staff rota systems
andchild/adult ratios.
To confirm the commitment to undertake the 3 day First Aider at Work Course and/or
2 day Paediatric First Aid at thedirection of the Headteacher.
Disclosure & Barring Service
This post is classed as having a high degree of contact with children or vulnerable adults and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. An enhanced disclosure will be sought through the Disclosure and Barring Service as part of Hertfordshire County Council’s pre-employment checks, (formerly known as Criminal Records Bureau). Please note that additional information referring to the Disclosure and Barring Service is in the guidance notes to the application form.
Additional Information:
Staff will be required to work a shift pattern in order to meet the organizational needs of the school.
The duties & responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present. The Post Holder is expected to accept any reasonable alterations that may from time to time be necessary
Person Specification
Quality / Desirable (D) Essential (E)A professional qualification of the level and standard of N.N.E.B. Diploma or Cache / NVQ Level 3, or working towards one of these. GCSE English and Maths at Grade C or above preferred / E
Knowledge and understanding of the EYFS / E
Ability to record observations on children / D
Approachable and can engage positively with the children / E
Able to build a good relationship with parents to support their learning, development and wellbeing. / E
Ability to work on own or as part of a team and use initiative / D
Creativity, empathetic & flexible approach to working in a school / D
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